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PRESS CONFERENCE/MEDIA PREVIEW FRIDAY JUNE 21,2002

By LYNNE ALMAN

I was told to arrive at the museum at 10:00 AM,and I arrived about 20 minutes early. The museum doors were locked so I waited outside and looked at the other people who were waiting for the museum to open. It was evident that some were also there for the Yoko press conference/media preview,and others were tourists and families just waiting for the museum to open so they could view the other exhibits(the Yoko exhibit didn't start until the next day). I also used this time to peek inside the windows of the museum store,and survey the Yoko banners on the light poles on the street.

Promptly at 10:00 the museum doors were opened. I checked in at a table where I saw they were handing out name tags,and I was told to wait in the press conference room. After stepping in the room,I saw there was a table where I could pick up a presskit and a list of all of the works in the YES Yoko Ono exhibit. There were also refreshments to be had,but being the health food junkie that I am,I had come prepared with my own food. After mingling a bit,I sat down to eat a snack,and shortly thereafter,we were told that Yoko's flight had been delayed and that the press conference would be starting a little late. Then we were instructed to go upstairs to the 4th floor for a media preview of the exhibit,and a tour of the exhibit by Jon Hendricks(Yoko's curator and archivist).

There were about 50-75 people at the media preview. We were not allowed to take any photos inside the exhibit. Jon Hendricks gave us a wonderful tour,and answered any questions that anyone had. He is so incredibly knowledgeable about Yoko's work,and I really enjoyed listening to him. His tour lasted about 45 minutes. After his tour,we had some free time to look around the exhibit on our own,but I was so excited about seeing Yoko at the press conference later in the day,that I couldn't really relax and fully take in the exhibit. When I went back the next day(on opening day)to view the exhibit,I was more relaxed and I was able to really participate in the works,both physically and conceptually.

Soon came the announcement that we should gather again downstairs in the press conference room. So I hurried back down to get a good seat. The front row was reserved seating,so I sat in the 2nd row. There were now about 150 people present,double the amount that had been on hand for the media preview.

After about 15 minutes Yoko,Jon Hendricks,and 2 others entered the room. It all happened so quickly and like it was no big deal. I had never seen Yoko in person before,and I mean,it's almost like I expected trumpets to sound and angels to sing or something,some sort of fanfare. But there was no fanfare,just one minute Yoko wasn't in the room,and then the next minute she was. And she looked FANTASTIC! It's so hard to believe that she's 69 years old. Not only does she look young,but she moves young,and her whole energy and persona is that of a person 30 years younger than what she is. But at the same time,she has all the wisdom and poise of her 69 years.

After some precursory comments by others(I know I should know their names,but I was focussed on Yoko Only,and the others were but a blur at best),the floor was opened up for questions and answers. At first everyone seemed a little bit shy,awestruck,but after someone asked a first question,then more and more people started raising their hands. It was such a joy to watch Yoko answering the questions,her face is very animated,her eyes are full of joy,and her sense of humor is infectious. She had the room filled with laughter many,many times. And I love the way her face will often light up and break into a large smile!

And the most amazing thing? NO-ONE asked any "John Lennon" questions!! I was prepared to hear the usual "how did you meet John","what did John see in you",etc. questions,and I was so thrilled that none were asked. Which means that we all got to hear more questions about Yoko herself,and here are some of them:

• QUESTION:
  (in reference to the War Is Over billboard on the street behind the museum) "What would it take to put that sign in front of the White House?"

  YOKO'S ANSWER:
  "I think that that's too confrontational. Because I think Bush said Give War A Chance. So I think it would be kind of rude to do that. My feeling is that in the 60's we waved flags,and we were impatient,we thought we were going to change the world in 2 months or something like that,and well in a way,maybe we helped to stop the war a bit earlier than they expected,maybe,I don't know,and we were meeting so many beautiful people in the United States and in the world,but this time around,the situation is so complex,and I really don't think that it serves us to waste our energy to try to change people's minds when they're very determined. And we have to find another way,and I think we will. I think that the more challenges we meet as people,our wisdom starts to increase,and that's how we're going to deal with it,and that's how we're going to survive. I think the human race IS going to survive. But that's what we have to do. And meanwhile,I think that we are like people in the same boat. And if this boat is going to be a Titanic,or if it's going to reach the shore or not,it's up to us. And I think if everybody's just thinking Kill,Kill,Kill then the boat is going to topple. And I think it's alright that many of us will be thinking peace,so that there's a balance. And we'll start with that. And eventually,just by the way we are,people might want to join us,because our lifestyle seems more fun."

• QUESTION:
  "Are there any plans for another book after Grapefruit such as Acorns?" (Acorns was an internet project)

  YOKO'S ANSWER:
  "Well,I'd like that to be published,but I haven't gotten around to it. I'm not good at sort of like going around,and pushing my work. So if somebody picks it up,maybe."

• QUESTION:
  "Do you have any instructions for journalists?"

  YOKO'S ANSWER:
  "Well,I don't think I can control them,and they have their own opinions. And they're like kids,you know,as soon as you tell them anything,they'll do the other. So,bless them."

• QUESTION:
  "What question have you not been asked or maybe not asked enough that you wish could be,and what would you answer?"

  YOKO'S ANSWER:
  "It's very kind of you to give me that opportunity."

• FOLLOW-UP QUESTION: "I can't imagine how you answer so many questions about the same thing without screaming,enough already!"

  YOKO'S ANSWER:
  "No,I don't feel that way,I think it's fine. I'm not focussing too much on people's questions and my replies,because I have my own life. And so,I don't want to really look into what I want people to ask me. I think,it's good,anything you can ask me,and I'll reply with a truthfulness and with inspiration,hopefully."

• QUESTION:
  "In this exhibition some of the works have been roped off,and people can't participate. How does that affect your attitude towards them?"

  YOKO'S ANSWER:
  "Well,we gotta do that,don't we? But you see,the thing is,I like the fact that it's different now. I think that it's getting more conceptual. And so,the act of climbing up the ladder and looking at the YES,that has been repeated so many times in films and videos,and John spoke about it,etc. So maybe it's a challenge to do it conceptually."

• QUESTION: "I went to Sarah Lawrence College,like you did,and there was a rather strange rumor that you had made a donation so that the students could have ice cream."

  YOKO'S ANSWER:
  "Well,I didn't. As much as I like ice cream,I don't think ice cream is going to benefit any of us. I wouldn't have done that."

• QUESTION:
  I've noticed that on your Instruction Pieces you sign them with the season,for instance, Winter 1963,Spring 1961,etc. And that you also have an album called Season Of Glass,and a song called Winter Friend,what is the significance and importance of the seasons to you?"

  YOKO'S ANSWER:
  "I just love the change of seasons. I love the snow,I love the cold,I love the hot summer and the green. I love the change of weather from cold to gradually becoming spring again,it's so beautiful. And autumn,of course,it's almost like the air's intelligent,you know,there's something about it,it's great."

After giving the interviews,Yoko came over to complete the Blue Room Event. The Blue Room Event was in a small room about 8 feet x 6 feet,with a regular sized doorway,so it was very hard for all of the journalists to get photos of Yoko. I was trying to get photos,and was being crushed in all the melee,but I did manage to get a few photos when Yoko was writing on the ceiling of the doorway. At one point when Yoko was inside the room writing on the walls,they were letting in journalists one at a time,but only a few got the opportunity to go in.

Afterwards Yoko was whisked quickly away. And I was left with such a good feeling inside,still in awe by her good nature,wisdom,and dignity. And I was SO looking forward to the performance/lecture event the next day: An Afternoon With Yoko Ono.